Governor David Hall

DAVID HALL, Delaware’s sixteenth governor, was born in Lewes, Delaware, on January 4, 1752. He received a classical education, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1773. Hall had a prominent military career with service during the Revolutionary War. He recruited a company that became a part of Colonel Haslet’s regiment, he was commissioned a captain and rose to the rank of colonel, and he fought in several battles, one of which he was critically wounded in. After the war, he returned to his law practice and entered politics. On October 6, 1801 Hall was elected governor of Delaware, and on January 19, 1802 he was sworn into office. During his tenure, funding was provided for the protection of certain papers to remain in the Pennsylvania land office. Several significant commission appointments also were made, and the organization of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was initiated. Hall did not seek reelection, which was prohibited by the Delaware Constitution of 1792, and left office on January 15, 1805. On March 5, 1813 he was appointed to the bench of the Common Pleas Court, a position he held until 1817. Governor David Hall died on September 18, 1817 and is buried at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lewes, Delaware.